Former Senator Brian Kelsey Faces 3 ½ Year Sentence Recommendation By Federal Government

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

Former Tennessee Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) is awaiting an official sentence after pleading guilty in November of last year to two campaign finance conspiracy charges related to his 2016 congressional run.   

Federal prosecutors are pushing U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, who is in charge of deciding Kelsey’s case, to sentence the former lawmaker to nearly 3 ½ years in prison. 

In a recent court filing, federal prosecutors made their recommendation, hoping to make an example out of Kelsey and reduce instances of campaign finance fraud. 

“A 41-month term of imprisonment would deliver a message to all who have the privilege of participating in campaigns for public office that no political victory is worth the risk of a lengthy term in federal prison,” they said. “To anyone who believes that a campaign finance crime is unlikely to be detected or unlikely to lead to a meaningful criminal penalty, this sentence would show that violations of these laws carry a high cost.”

Kelsey’s new legal team, however, believes that the federal government’s recommendation is too high and that the sentence maximum should be 33 months instead of 41. 

Back in October of 2021, Kelsey was indicted for allegedly violating federal law by funneling more than $90,000 from his state campaign account to a federal campaign account connected to his failed 2016 congressional run. 

Kelsey was initially charged on five counts alleging a campaign finance scheme and plead “not guilty” to all counts until November 2022 when he requested a hearing to alter his plea. 

The former lawmaker ended up pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and another of aiding and abetting the acceptance of funds in excess of the federal limit of $25,000.

Kelsey has since attempted and failed to convince the court to reverse his guilty plea back to “not guilty.”

The government’s recent filing recounted various allegations not included in the initial indictment or guilty plea, one of which alleges that Kelsey donated money to fellow Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly in exchange for contributions to his federal campaign fund.

Yet another allegation that was made public for the first-time, involves Kelsey telling donors who had already given the maximum donation allowed, to instead make contributions to the suspended presidential campaign fund of an unnamed U.S. Senator who visited constituents on Kelsey’s behalf. 

Some have speculated that this particular individual was actually Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), who made an appearance in West Tennessee on behalf of Kelsey just days before the election, praising Kelsey’s youth, principle, and courage. 

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.